Abdominal supporter and truss.



No. 772,105. A PATENTED OCT. 11 1904.

B. F. LACY.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTBR AND TRUSS. A

APPLICATION FILED PEB.15. 1904.

' N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented October 11, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ABADOIVIINAL SUPPORTER AN'D 'TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 772,105, dated October 11, 1904.

Application filed lebruary 15, 1904. Serial No. 193,595. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. LACY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pekin, in the county of Tazewell and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improve-- such a manner as to promote the knitting of the inner membrane to the outer wall at the edge of the broken ligaments, thus providing the only conditions under which a hernia or rupture can be cured. I

In the above connection the invention pro-J vides a supporter which depresses the entireabdominal cavity and at the same time embodies means whereby it is held secure against displacement from the position in which it may be fitted.

With these and many other objects, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential feature of the invention involved in the novel formation of the supporterframe to constitute an abdominal bandage or supporter and also a truss for the retention of hernia is necessarily susceptible to structural modification without departing from the scope of the invention; but a preferred embodiment of the latter is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1- 1s a front elevation of an abdominal supporter and truss embodying the presentfigures of the drawings.

proper, showing the protective fabric casing partly broken away to expose the spring-wire supporter-frame. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the spring-wire supporter-frame, illustrating a modification wherein the frame is bent specially for adaptation to adirect inguinal hernia. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a modification wherein a separate pad is applied to the supporter-frame.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the invention the same primaril y involves a spring wire supporter-frame designated in its entirety by the numeral 1 and made from a continuous length of brass spring-wire of suitable strength and gage. The wire from which the frame is made can be bent into shape through the medium of any suitable instrumentalities without affecting the structural features of the invention, as in all cases the wire is bent into. anarched orU- shaped form, as plainly shown in the several This arched or U- shaped-spring supporter-frame is designed to be arranged in an upright position over the abdominal cavity and wholly at the front side of the body, whereby the frame when drawn with proper pressure upon and against the body serves to depress the entire abdominal cavity, and thereby bring into close relation the broken ligaments surrounding the hernia or rupture, thereby placing the parts in condition for healing by natural process.

The Wire constituting the arched or U- shaped supporter-frame is bent so as to extend directly over and beneath the hernia or rupture, and thus ordinarily constitutes a pad member itself for retaining the hernia in place, and in ordinary cases of bubonocele rupture the side portions of the frame are provided with suitable-deflections constituting retaining-bends 2 for holding the rupture. However, in case the rupture is very large there may be placed directly on the sides of the frame at these points a separate metallic or equivalent pad 3, such as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and which could be placed on the wire before the supporter or truss frame is bent up into shape. Also in case of rupture in other places the retaining bends or pads could be placed at those pointssuch, for instance, as suggested in Fig. 3wherein the bottom portion of the supporter-frame is shown provided with downwardly-extending retaining bends or offsets 2, designed for holding an inguinal hernia.

In all embodiments of the invention the spring-wire supporter-frame 1 is provided at the opposite upper ends thereof with the spring-coils 4:, and the terminals of the wire at these points are extended downwardly and outwardly from the coils to provide the springlever arms 5, having hooked terminals or eyes 6, to which are connected the front extremities of an adjustable. body-band 7, passing around the hips and the back of the body and tightened to any desired degree, according to the pressure with which the frame is to be held over the abdomen. In the case of inguinal hernia the lever arms 5 are made longer, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby a stronger pressure may be provided at the lower part of the truss. Also in carrying out the invention the upper ends of the frame are designed to be connected by an adjustable front supporting-belt 8, which may be manipulated to fit the frame or truss and which also provides a means for holding an umbilical rupture. This may be assisted by attaching an umbilical pad 9 directly to the belt or band 8, as suggested in Fig. 2.

The entire metallic springwire frame 1, except its lever-arms 5, is designed to be received within the pocket of a protective fab.

ric casing 10, which forms the contact-surface for the body.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. v

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, a U- shaped spring-Wire supporter-frame having rupture-retaining means and provided at its ends with lever-arms, a body-band connected to the terminals of the lever-arms, a transverse holding-band connected at its ends to the ends of the U-shaped frame and arranged in front of the body, and a casing receiving the U-shaped frame.

2. In a device of the class described, a U- shaped spring-wire supporter-frame provided at its ends with spring-coils and outwardlydeflected lever-arm extensions projected from said coils, a transverse holding-band connected at its ends to the spring-coils and arranged in front of the body, and an adjustable bodyband encircling the body and connected at its front ends with the terminals of the lever-arm extension. I

3. In a device of the class described, an upright U-shaped spring-wire supporter-frame having rupture-retaining bends, an umbilical rupture-holding band connecting the ends of the frame in front of the body, and support ing means for holding the frame upon the abdomen.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. LACY.

Witnesses:

JAMES M. RAHN, VICTOR P. DUNKELBERG. 

